Boosting oxygen reduction activity and CO_(2) resistance on bismuth ferrite-based perovskite cathode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells below 600℃

Developing efficient and stable cathodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells(LT-SOFCs) is of great importance for the practical commercialization.Herein,we propose a series of Sm-modified Bi_(0.7-x)Sm_xSr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ) perovskites as highly-active catalysts for LT-SOFCs.Sm doping can significantly enhance the electrocata lytic activity and chemical stability of cathode.At 600℃,Bi_(0.675)Sm_(0.025)Sr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ)(BSSF25) cathode has been found to be the optimum composition with a polarization resistance of 0.098 Ω cm^2,which is only around 22.8% of Bi_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ)(BSF).A full cell utilizing BSSF25 displays an exceptional output density of 790 mW cm^(-2),which can operate continuously over100 h without obvious degradation.The remarkable electrochemical performance observed can be attributed to the improved O_(2) transport kinetics,superior surface oxygen adsorption capacity,as well as O_(2)p band centers in close proximity to the Fermi level.Moreover,larger average bonding energy(ABE) and the presence of highly acidic Bi,Sm,and Fe ions restrict the adsorption of CO_(2) on the cathode surface,resulting in excellent CO_(2) resistivity.This work provides valuable guidance for systematic design of efficient and durable catalysts for LT-SOFCs.

Ca and Sr co-doping induced oxygen vacancies in 3DOM La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts for boosting low-temperature oxidative coupling of methane

It is urgent to develop catalysts with application potential for oxidative coupling of methane(OCM)at relatively lower temperature.Herein,three-dimensional ordered macro porous(3 DOM)La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)(A_(2)B_(2)O_(7)-type)catalysts with disordered defective cubic fluorite phased structure were successfully prepared by a colloidal crystal template method.3DOM structure promotes the accessibility of the gaseous reactants(O2and CH4)to the active sites.The co-doping of Ca and Sr ions in La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts improved the formation of oxygen vacancies,thereby leading to increased density of surface-active oxygen species(O_(2)^(-))for the activation of CH4and the formation of C2products(C2H6and C2H4).3DOM La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts exhibit high catalytic activity for OCM at low temperature.3DOM La1.7Sr0.3Ce1.7Ca0.3O7-δcatalyst with the highest density of O_(2)^(-)species exhibited the highest catalytic activity for low-temperature OCM,i.e.,its CH4conversion,selectivity and yield of C2products at 650℃are 32.2%,66.1%and 21.3%,respectively.The mechanism was proposed that the increase in surface oxygen vacancies induced by the co-doping of Ca and Sr ions boosts the key step of C-H bond breaking and C-C bond coupling in catalyzing low-temperature OCM.It is meaningful for the development of the low-temperature and high-efficient catalysts for OCM reaction in practical application.

Molecular composition of low-temperature oxidation products of the heavy oil

Low-temperature oxidation(LTO)is the main reaction that affects fuel formation in the in-situ combustion process,which has important significance for the subsequent combustion propulsion and the successful extraction of crude oil.In this study,heavy oil was subjected to LTO reactions at different temperatures.Three types of reaction products with varying oxidation depths were characterized in terms of the number of oxygen atoms and the polarity of the molecule to reveal the low-temperature oxidation process of the heavy oil.Ketone compounds and acid polyoxides in the oil phase and deep oxidation products with a higher number of oxygen atoms in the coke were identified with increasing oxidation depth.The experimental results showed that the oxidation reaction of the heavy oil changed from kinetic-controlled to diffusion-controlled in the open oxidation system of the heavy oil as the oxidation depth increased.The oxidation reaction of the oil phase reached a maximum and stable value in oxygen content.The molecular compositions of the ketone compound and acid polyoxide did not change significantly with further increase in reaction temperature.The molecular compositions of the deep oxidation products with a higher number of oxygen atoms in the coke phase changed significantly.The coke precursor molecules with a lower oxygen content and condensation degree participated in the coke formation,and the oxidation reaction pathway and the complexity of the oxidation product component also increased.

Changes in active functional groups during low-temperature oxidation of coal

Using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) combined with an adiabatic oxidation test, temperature-programmed oxidation and gas analysis, we studied the changes of active functional groups during low-temperature oxidation of lignite, gas coal, fat coal and anthracite. During slow low-temperature heat accumulation, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as methyl and methylene, are attacked by oxygen atoms absorbed by pores on coal surfaces, generating unstable solid intermediate carbon-oxygen complexes, which then decompose into gaseous products (CO, CO2) and stable solid complexes. At the accelerated oxidation stage, the stable complexes begin to decompose in large amounts and provided new active sites for further oxidation, while the aliphatic structures gained energy and fell from the benzene rings to produce CxHy and H2.

Free radicals, apparent activation energy, and functional groups during low-temperature oxidation of Jurassic coal in Northern Shaanxi

Correlations among free radicals, apparent activation energy, and functional groups during lowtemperature oxidation of Jurassic coal in Northern Shaanxi were investigated by examining three coal samples collected from the Ningtiaota, Jianxin, and Shigetai coal mines. Free radical concentrations at less than 120 ℃ were investigated by electron spin resonance experiments while the thermogravimetric experiments were conducted to analyze apparent activation energies. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to study the spectrum of functional groups generated in coal. The results indicated that, in decreasing order, the apparent activation energies were Shigetai 〉Jianxin 〉 Ningtiaota, indicating that, from 50 to 120 ℃, the Ningtiaota coal sample most easily absorbed and reacted with oxygen while the most resistant was the Shigetai coal sample. Free radical concentrations and line heights increased with increased temperature, and the line width and Lande factor showed irregular fluctuations. Functional group variations were different among these coals, and the phenol and alcohol-associated OHs, carboxyls, and aromatic ring double bonds might have had a major impact on free radical concentrations. These results were meaningful for better consideration and management of coal oxidation at low temperatures.

Preparation of α-Bi_2O_3 from bismuth powders through low-temperature oxidation

α-Bi2O3 powders were prepared from nanometer Bi powders through low-temperature oxidation at less than 873.15 K. XRD, SEM, TEM and HRTEM were used to characterize the structure and morphology of Bi powders and Bi2O3 particles. Kinetic studies on the bismuth oxidation at low-temperatures were carried out by TGA method. The results show that bismuth beads should be reunited and oxidized to become irregular Bi2O3 powders. The bismuth oxidation follows shrinking core model, and its controlling mechanism varies at different reaction time. Within 0-10 min, the kinetics is controlled by chemical reaction, after that it is controlled by O2 diffusion in the solid α-Bi2O3 layer. The apparent activation energy is determined as 55.19 kJ/mol in liquid-phase oxidation.

Effects of Exogenous Glycine Betaine on Oxidation Metabolism in Cucumbers during Low-temperature Storage

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the effects of different concentrations of glycine betaine（GB） on oxidation metabolism in cucumbers under low-temperature stress and to investigate the possible mechanism of low-temperature resistance in cucumber during low-temperature storage. [Method] Cucumber cultivar Zhongnong No.8 was treated with 0, 5, 10 and 15 mmol/L GB solutions for 15 min and stored at 4 ℃. Changes in oxidative metabolism-related parameters were observed. [Result] Increasing exogenous GB concentration could enhance GB content in cucumbers, decline lipoxygenase（LOX） activity, improve peroxidase（POD） and catalase（CAT） activities, remove effectively hydrogen peroxide（H2O2） and reduce the accumulation of malondialdehyde（MDA）. [Conclusion] Treating cucumbers with10 mmol/L GB exhibited the most remarkable effect.

Screening non-noble metal oxides to boost the low-temperature combustion of polyethylene waste in air

Globally,the efficient utilization of polymer wastes is one of the most important issues for current sustainable development topics.Herein,a green and efficient low-temperature combustion approach is proposed to deal with polymer wastes and recover heat energy,simultaneously alleviating the environment and energy crisis.Non-noble metal oxides(Al_(2)O_(3),Fe_(2)O_(3),NiO_(2),ZrO_(2),La_(2)O_(3)and CeO_(2)) were prepared,characterized and screened to boost the low-temperature combustion of polyethylene waste at 300℃ in air.The mass change,heat release and CO_(x) formation were studied in details and employed to evaluate the combustion rate and efficiency.It was found that CeO_(2)significantly enhanced the combustion rate and efficiency,which was respectively 2 and 7 times that of non-catalytic case.An interesting phenomenon was observed that the catalytic performance of CeO_(2) in polyethylene low-temperature combustion was significantly improved by the 7-day storage in the room environment or water treatment.XPS analysis confirmed the co-existence of Ce^(3+) and Ce^(4+) in CeO_(2),and the 7-day storage and water treatment promoted the amount of Ce^(3+),which facilitated the formation of the oxygen vacancies.That may be the reason why CeO_(2) exhibited excellent catalytic performance in polyethylene low-temperature combustion.

Comparative study on the flame retardancy of CO_(2) and N_(2) during coal adiabatic oxidation process

To test the effectiveness of N_(2) and CO_(2) in preventing coal from spontaneously combusting,researchers used an adiabatic oxidation apparatus to conduct an experiment with different temperature starting points.Non-adsorbed helium(He)was used as a reference gas,and coal and oxygen concentration temperature variations were analyzed after inerting.The results showed that He had the best cooling effect,N_(2) was second,and CO_(2) was the worst.At 70℃and 110℃,the impact of different gases on reducing oxygen concentration and the cooling effect was the same.However,at the starting temperature of 150℃,CO_(2) was less effective in lowering oxygen concentration at the later stage than He and N_(2).N_(2) and CO_(2) can prolong the flame retardation time of inert gas and reduce oxygen displacement with an initial temperature increase.When the starting temperature is the same,N_(2) injection cools coal samples and replaces oxygen more effectively than CO_(2) injection.The flame retardancy of inert gas is the combined result of the cooling effect of inert gas and the replacement of oxygen.These findings are essential for using inert flame retardant technology in the goaf.

Construction of a macromolecular structural model of Chinese lignite and analysis of its low-temperature oxidation behavior

The aim of this paper is to analyze the change in the active structure of lignite during the process of lowtemperature oxidation by constructing a molecular structure model for lignite. Using quantum computation combined with experimental results of proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), a structural model for the large molecular structure was constructed. By analyzing the bond lengths in the model molecule, the evolution law for the active structure of lignite was predicted for the process of low-temperature oxidation. In low-temperature oxidation,alkanes and hydroxyls are the primary active structures observed in lignite, though ether may also react. These active functional groups react with oxygen to release heat, thereby speeding up the reaction between coal and oxygen. Finally, the content of various functional groups in the process of lignite low-temperature oxidation was analyzed by infrared analysis, and the accuracy of the model was verified.

A comparative study of CuO/TiO_2-SnO_2,CuO/TiO_2 and CuO/SnO_2 catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation

Nanometer SnO2 particles were synthesized by sol-gel dialytic processes and used as a support to prepare CuO supported catalysts via a deposition-precipitation method. The samples were characterized by means of TG-DTA, XRD, H2-TPR and XPS. The catalytic activity of the CuO/TiO2-SnO2 catalysts was markedly depended on the loading of CuO, and the optimum CuO loading was 8 wt.% （Tloo = 80 ℃）. The CuO/TiO2-SnO2 catalysts exhibited much higher catalytic activity than the CuO/TiO2 and CuO/SnO2 catalysts. H2-TPR result indicated that a large amount of CuO formed the active site for CO oxidation in 8 wt.% CuO/TiO2-SnO2 catalyst.

Exploring the Low-Temperature Oxidation Chemistry of Cyclohexane in a Jet-Stirred Reactor:an Experimental and Kinetic Modeling Study

We report the investigation on the low-temperature oxidation of cyclohexane in a jet-stirred reactor over 500-742 K. Synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry （SVUV-PIMS） was used for identifying and quantifying the oxidation species. Major products, cyclic olefins, and oxygenated products including reactive hydroperoxides and high oxygen compounds were detected. Compared with n-alkanes, a narrow low-temperature window （-80 K） was observed in the low-temperature oxidation of cyclohexane. Besides, a kinetic model for cyclohexane oxidation was developed based on the CNRS model [Combust. Flame 160, 2319 （2013）], which can better capture the experimental results than previous models. Based on the modeling analysis, the 1,5-H shift dominates the crucial isomerization steps of the first and second O2 addition products in the low-temperature chain branching process of cyclohexane. The negative temperature coefficient behavior of cyclohexane oxidation results from the reduced chain branching due to the competition from chain inhibition and propagation reactions, i.e. the reaction between cyclohexyl radical and O2 and the de- composition of cyclohexylperoxy radical, both producing cyclohexene and HO2 radical, as well as the decomposition of cyclohexylhydroperoxy radical producing hex-5-en-l-al and OH radical.

Low-temperature oxidation behavior of MoSi_2 powders

The oxidation behavior of molybdenum disilicide （MoSi2） powders at 400, 500, and 600℃ for 12 h in air were investigated by using X-ray diffraction （XRD） and transmission electron microscopic （TEM） techniques. Significant changes were observed in volume, mass, and color. Especially at 500℃, the volume expansion was found to be as high as 7-8 times, the color changed from black to yellow-white, and the mass gain was about 169.34% after 8 h, with SiO2 and MoO3 as main reaction products. The gains in volume and mass were less at 400 and 600℃ compared with those at 500℃, probably due to the less reaction rate at 400℃ and the formation of silica glass scale at 600℃, which would protect the matrix and restrain the diffusion of oxygen and molybdenum. Thus, the accelerated oxidation behavior of MoSi2 powder appeared at 500℃ and the volume expansion was the sign of accelerated oxidation.

In situ catalytic upgrading of heavy crude oil through low-temperature oxidation

The low-temperature catalytic oxidation of heavy crude oil（Xinjiang Oilfield,China） was studied using three types of catalysts including oil-soluble,watersoluble,and dispersed catalysts.According to primary screening,oil-soluble catalysts,copper naphthenate and manganese naphthenate,are more attractive,and were selected to further investigate their catalytic performance in in situ upgrading of heavy oil.The heavy oil compositions and molecular structures were characterized by column chromatography,elemental analysis,and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry before and after reaction.An Arrhenius kinetics model was introduced to calculate the rheological activation energy of heavy oil from the viscosity-temperature characteristics.Results show that the two oil-soluble catalysts can crack part of heavy components into light components,decrease the heteroatom content,and achieve the transition of reaction mode from oxygen addition to bond scission.The calculated rheological activation energy of heavy oil from the fitted Arrhenius model is consistent with physical properties of heavy oil（oil viscosity and contents of heavy fractions）.It is found that the temperature,oil composition,and internal molecular structures are the main factors affecting its flow ability.Oil-soluble catalyst-assisted air injection or air huff-n-puff injection is a promising in situ catalytic upgrading method for improving heavy oil recovery.

Low-temperature oxidation of light crude oil in oxygen-reduced air flooding

Light crude oil from the lower member of the Paleogene Xiaganchaigou Formation of Gaskule in Qinghai Oilfield was selected to carry out thermal kinetic analysis experiments and calculate the activation energy during the oil oxidation process.The oxidation process of crude oi l in porous medium was modeled by crude oil static oxidation experiment,and the component changes of crude oil before and after low-temperature oxidation were compared through Fourier transform ion cy-clotron resonance mass spectrometry and gas chromatography;the dynamic displacement experiment of oxygen-reduced air was combined with NMR technology to analyze the oil recovery degree of oxygen-reduced air flooding.The whole process of crude oil oxidation can be divided into four stages:light hydrocarbon volatilization,low-temperature oxidation,fuel deposition,and high temperature oxidation;the high temperature oxidation stage needs the highest activation energy,followed by the fuel deposition stage,and the low-temperature oxidation stage needs the lowest activation energy;the concentration of oxygen in the reaction is negatively correlated with the activation energy required for the reaction;the higher the oxygen concentration,the lower the average activation energy required for oxidation reaction is;the low-temperature oxidation reaction between crude oil and air generates a large amount of heat and CO,CO_(2) and CH4,forming flue gas drive in the reservoir,which has certain effects of mixing phases,reducing viscosity,lowering interfacial tension and promoting expansion of crude oil,and thus helps enhance the oil recovery rate.Under suitable reservoir temperature condition,the degree of recovery of oxygen-reduced air flooding is higher than that of nitrogen flooding for all scales of pore throat,and the air/oxygen-reduced air flooding de-velopment should be preferred.

Gold Catalysts Supported on Crystalline Fe_2O_3 and CeO_2/Fe_2O_3 for Low-temperature CO Oxidation

High active and stable gold catalysts supported on crystalline Fe203 and CeO2/Fe2O3 were prepared via the deposition-precipitation method. The catalyst with a Au load of 1.0% calcined at 180 ℃ showed a CO conversion of 100% at -8.9℃, while Au/CeO2/Fe2O3 converted CO completely at -16.1 ℃. Even having been calcined at 500 ℃, Au/Fe2O3 still exhibited significant catalytic activity, achieving full conversion of CO at 61.6℃. The catalyst with a low Au load of 0.5% could convert CO completely at room temperature and kept the activity unchanged for at least 150 h. N2 adsorption-desorption measurements show that the crystalline supports possessed a high specific surface area of about 200 m2/g. Characterizations of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicate that gold species were highly dispersed as nano or sub-nano particles on the supports. Even after the catalyst was calcined at 500 ℃, the Au particles remained in a nano-size of about 6--10 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectra reveal that the supported Au existed in metallic state Au0. The modification of Au/Fe2O3 by CeO2 proved to be beneficial to the inhibition of crystallization of Fe2O3 and the stabilization of gold particles in dispersed state, consequently promoting catalytic activity.

Hydrocracking of Low-Temperature Coal Tar over CoMo Catalysts Supported on ZrO2-Al2O3 Composite Oxides

A series of CoMo/ZrO2-Al2O3 catalysts with different contents of ZrO2 were prepared and characterized through XRD,XPS,NH3-TPD,H2-TPR,HR-TEM,and N2 adsorption-desorption technologies.The performance of the catalysts for low-temperature coal tar(LTCT)hydrocracking reaction was investigated.The interaction between active metals and Al2O3 was weakened with the introduction of ZrO2,which increased the MoS2 content and the stack layer number of MoS2 slabs to further promote the catalytic performance.At the same time,the amount of acid sites increased with an increasing ZrO2 content.When the ZrO2 content reached 32%,the pore volume of the catalyst decreased significantly.This phenomenon reduced the content of MoS2 and the stack layer number of MoS2 slabs,which were not conducive to improving the catalytic performance.The catalyst containing 24%of ZrO2 exhibited the best catalytic performance for hydrocracking reaction,with the residue conversion and the total yield of gasoline and diesel fractions reaching 60.64%and 66.54%,respectively,which could fulfill the requirements for hydrocracking LTCT.

Experimental studies on gas-phase mercury oxidation removal and denitration of coal combustion with NH_4 Br addition

In order to remove gas-phase mercury and NOx from flue gas, experimental studies on flue gas mercury oxidation removal and denitration of Guizhou anthracite combustion with NH4Br addition were carried out. The influence of NH4Br addition on the ignition temperature and combustion characteristics was studied using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The effects of the NHaBr addition amount on gas-phase mercury oxidation and removal were investigated in a bench scale of 6 kW fluidized bed combustor （FBC）. Mercury concentrations in flue gas were determined by the Ontario hydro method （OHM） and the mercury mass balance was obtained. Results show that the NH4Br addition has little influence on the ignition temperature of Guizhou anthracite. With the mercury mass balance of 95.47%, the proportion of particulate mercury Hg^p, gaseous mercury Hg^0 and Hg^2＋ are 75.28%, 11.60% and 13. 12%, respectively, as raw coal combustion. The high particulate mercury Hg^p in flue gas is caused by the high unburned carbon content in fly ash. When the NH4Br addition amount increases from 0 to 0. 3%, the concentration of gaseous Hg^0 and Hg^2＋ in flue gas decreases continuously, leading to the Hg^p increase accordingly. The oxidation rate of Hg^0 is positively correlated to the Br addition amount. It demonstrates that coal combustion with NH4Br addition can promote Hg^0 oxidation and removal. NOx concentration in flue gas exhibits a descending trend with the NHaBr addition and the removal rate reaches 17.31% with the addition amount of 0.3%. Adding NH4Br to coal also plays a synergistic role in denitration.

Oxygen-coordinated low-nucleus cluster catalysts for enhanced electrocatalytic water oxidation

The oxygen evolution reaction(OER)activity of single-atom catalysts(SACs)is closely related to the coordination environment of the active site.Oxygencoordinated atomic metal species bring about unique features beyond nitrogen-coordinated atomic metal species due to the fact that the M-O bond is weaker than the M-N bond.Herein,a series of metal-oxygen-carbon structured low-nucleus clusters(LNCs)are successfully anchored on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes(M-MWCNTs,M=Ni,Co,or Fe)through a foolproof low-temperature gas transfer(300℃)method without any further treatment.The morphology and coordination configuration of the LNCs at the atomic level were confirmed by comprehensive characterizations.The synthetic Ni-MWCNTs electrocatalyst features excellent OER activity and stability under alkaline conditions,transcending the performances of Co-MWCNTs,Fe-MWCNTs and RuO_(2).Density functional theory calculations reveal that the moderate oxidation of low-nucleus Ni clusters changes the unoccupied orbital of Ni atoms,thereby lowering the energy barrier of the OER rate-limiting step and making the OER process more energy-efficient.This study demonstrates a novel versatile platform for large-scale manufacturing of oxygen-coordinated LNC catalysts.

Law of gas production during coal heating oxidation

Coal spontaneous combustion is a great threat to mine safety,and gas is the key index to describe coal spontaneous combustion.Taking the coal samples of different kinds of coal as research object,the temperature programmed oxidation experiment was carried out,and the gases produced by coal samples at different temperatures were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography.This research studied the variation characteristics of gas species and gas concentrations in different coal samples during heating oxidation.The experimental results show that different coal samples produce different kinds of gases in the process of heating and oxidation.The order of gas production is CO,C2H6,C2H4,C3H8,and the relationship between gas production and temperature is approximately exponential.With the increase of coal metamorphic degree,the turning point temperature of sharp rise in coal sample gas production rate become higher,the oxidation ability of coal sample decreases,and the quantity of gas production decreases during the same time period.